I just picked up my bike in Bogota
I just picked up my bike in Bogota
I made it to Panama on Saturday the 21st of February. I was hoping to get by bike sent to Bogota on the following Monday. What luck!!! It was carnival and nothing is open until Thursday the 26th. I stayed for the week and hung out. Everything was good, except I drove into an area I should not have. There were all kinds of scroungy people throwing rocks, bottles, sticks and so forth. At first I thought it was just part of normal carnival. Water, powder etc.. Harmless.
As I turned around to hightail it out of there some hoodlums ran up to me on my bike and grabbed my tank bag. It was a real nice one held on with magnets. Additionally I had my camera and phone in it. A few personal items and that was it. Lucky no documents!!
Anyway, I hung around Panama for the week and I am glad I did. I saw the Panama Canal, eat some good food, checked out the malls, and so on and so forth. Part of this was my own fault. I always, park my bike in the hotels secure parking and head out to explore the city by taxis. I have no business wandering around a strange and dangerous town on a giant red motorcycle. It was just such a beautiful day.
So I headed out to the Cargo area of the Panama City Airport. It was a long way and it to is through some very dicey areas.
First I visited Copa. They were quoting $650.00 to Medellin and that is where I wanted to go. Once I got there the cargo boss was not sure if a plane was gong this week, next week or if at all. He tells me things have been real slow. Then he said if they do not go to Medellin, he would just send it to Bogota and call me when it arrives. Wow, that instills a lot of confidence!!!
Next stop, Garig. Very helpful. The plane is going on Friday and your bike will be in Bogota at 5:00pm. They seemed to have their shit together. However $900.00, cash only Ouch!!!
I left my bike, went over to the Passenger terminal. I purchased a ticket to Cartagena and was home by 2:00 in the afternoon.
Tuesday morning (today) I caught an early flight to Bogota. Upon arriving I found the Garig Freight terminal. Very easy. There was my bike, just like I left it in Panama. So nice. The Garig guy walked me over to Customs. He filled out all the papaerwor for me and all I did was show my documents. I asked for a year and the customs lady was not too sure about that. We settled on 6 months and she said I could redo it in Cartagena later. I did not pay 1 single peso. Nada!!!
As always, nothing can always be perfect. Big Red did not feel right as I drove her through the warehouse and down the steps. Then I knew what was up. Another flat!!! My second one this trip. No big deal. I pulled my handy dandy compressor from under the seat. I put 40 lbs in it and it is still holding. Tomorrow I will go to the Suzuki dealer and see what is up. After that I will head to Medellin for day or two, Monteria for a night and then home to Cartagena. If anyone is heading to Cartagena, let me know. I have an extra room, I live on the beach and I will be ready to ride
Martin
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